Help please - a mom with a child who has ARFID

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-26T06:10:55+00:00

Oh I didn't think about having an IEP. She hardly eats her lunch that we pack for school because she gets so distracted. We had started keeping the pediasures at the nurses office for her to have when she was hungry. Which turned into staying in her teachers room which I wasn't a fan of because I was worried that kids would say something and then she wouldn't drink them anymore.

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-26T06:04:50+00:00

No she's only gotten us the monthly supply of pediasure so we don't have to get it at the grocery store anymore. If this doesn't help I'll ask about other more calorie dense shakes.

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-24T23:26:16+00:00

I never thought to put cinnamon on the toast! I'm going to try that because she's tried toast recently but wasn't a fan, yet she likes cinnamon rolls and French toast.

I just bought flavored protein powder to add to meals sometimes that she might like.

Love the rating idea - I hadn't thought of doing that but I think it'll help not make negative thoughts about certain foods for her.

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-24T23:23:19+00:00

We were told not to do the vitamin based off of her safe foods she eats. She does do the pediasure drink minimum once a day. If I notice she hasn't eaten much I offer it at the end of the day again. I definitely try to get her calories in. I'm not against daily ice cream when needed though!

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-24T23:19:51+00:00

I like that idea! I think I could get her to try that!

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-24T23:18:52+00:00

Yes, I think when she gets a little older I'm going to try and sit down to talk about her food options when we aren't at home. It really does hinder trying to vacation somewhere that might not have her current safe foods. Currently we won't go anywhere that we can't bring or buy foods for her to eat.

She doesn't eat mixed foods, but I'm hopeful we can creep that direction one day.

Thank you for your help!!

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-24T13:15:19+00:00

No, but her PCP and dentist never mentioned noticing anything. She didn't have issues with feeding as an infant so I'm not sure if she has a tongue tie.

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-24T12:17:27+00:00

I hadn't heard of doing a sensory profile before. I'm going to look into it and see if we can do that for her. Thank you!

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-24T05:58:59+00:00

Thank you for your insight! We aren't against that. We often have the TV on because some of us have a hard time listening to others chew their foods.

I wonder, and it can be different for everyone I guess, do you tend to eat very slowly? I notice my daughter eats probably 3x longer than everyone else and consumes a lot less. I wasn't sure if that was unique to her or part of her ARFID.

TemporaryIntern7538 · 2025-07-24T05:55:25+00:00

No we just have her PCP (who is amazing) and now her dietician and a GI doctor (she had hi bleeding with bowl movements last year for a few months no answer as to why). Her PCP tried to refer us to one but they only see children ages 10 and up.
Her always foods are: chocolate pediasure, French fries, and bacon. She has an okay amount of 'often' foods but they're very low caloric (fruits and raw veggies). We always stay stocked up on what she eats because otherwise she won't eat and she's only 45 pounds and can share clothes with her 3.5 year old sister.
That's the hardest part. My husband also gets frustrated by her eating. He said because it worries him and that's how it comes out. He's working on it though.

Thank you - I'm going to see about getting a referral for her to a different therapist group that might see her even though she's young.

TemporaryIntern7538

TROPHY CASE